A Dashing Tale of the Great Song Dynasty

This book includes such events as the Tang ruler's prayers beneath a pale, waning moon, the birth of Emperor Taizu beneath red light and purple clouds; a chance encounter with a good friend that leads out of the pleasure quarter, and a fortuitous meeting with an extraordinary monk who points out the way; a campaign against Northern Han, where martial valor wins renown, and a march against Southern Tang, where the troops fight in full armor; a clash between tiger and dragon that pacifies the lands north of the Yangtze, and the surrender of the state that restores Huainan; a beautiful woman and a sage ruler overcome by drink, and orphans and widows unable to preserve the imperial foundations; the Mandate of Heaven accepted in imitation of Yao's abdication to Shun, and a lonely figure left with nothing but regret and sorrow, among other events.